Chief Dennis Ray 🐘

Three hummers so far in Lugoff SC this spring 4-10-26. Here is one if you look close! #hummingbird #hummingbirds

Agreed!! Tough guy! 👍

Monday brings the greatest threat for severe weather where portions of the area were upgraded to a Moderate risk (level 4 out of 5). The main threats will be damaging to destructive wind gusts and several tornadoes, a few of which could be strong. #caewx #scwx #gawx

Here are our Key Messages for Monday (3/16).

SEVERE WEATHER THREAT MONDAY (UPDATE SATURDAY 5 PM) You know I’ll always shoot straight with you and never hype or sensationalize anything. So when I tell you to pay attention to the weather Monday, I really mean it. A powerful cold front, strong upper-level winds, and plenty of storm fuel are likely to combine and produce scattered to widespread severe storms on Monday. The entire area is currently under a Level 3 (Enhanced) risk out of 5, but the Storm Prediction Center believes part of the Pee Dee and Border Belt into central North Carolina could be upgraded to a Level 4 (Moderate) risk in their next update Sunday. In a setup like this, we could initially see individual rotating storms (supercells) develop from late morning through mid-afternoon. These isolated storms can produce strong tornadoes. After those move through, an intense line of storms (Squall Line) along the cold front may sweep across the area late in the afternoon, bringing the potential for damaging straight-line winds and a few tornadoes. 1. Is this a slam dunk? Still no. Cloud cover could limit the available storm fuel, and the front could move through earlier than expected, reducing the threat. However, the chances of that happening are lower than they were this morning. Just know that if we see sunshine on Monday, that’s bad news because it increases the amount of storm fuel available, leading to more intense storms and greater tornado potential. 2. Even in higher-end severe weather setups, many people never see severe weather. That’s good news. However, Monday is one of those days where if you do see severe weather, it could be very bad. That’s why it’s important to stay weather-aware. Have multiple way to get warnings Monday by downloading our Weather Authority app now. Search “WPDEWX” in your app store. I'll have another update on Sunday.

A clearer, terrifying view of the liquefied gas tanker crash in Renca, Chile, moments before the explosion. No escape. One minute you are driving along, then boom.

NEWS RELEASE: The South Carolina Emergency Management Division participated in the South Carolina Emergency Management Association (SCEMA) annual conference in Greenville. Read more: scemd.org/news/scemd-att…

Dudes in the audience gave a standing ovation for this performance and rightfully so

West Monroe, LA, is one of the communities devastated by recent ice and snow storms. It’s also the home of our friends, the Robertson family of @DuckDynastyAE. Thank you Jase and @MissyDuckWife for all you’re doing to help your neighbors. Find out more about volunteering with @SamaritansPurse at spvolunteer.org.

One of the most underrated players returning to that defense next season

I have to give props to someone who went through all of this to help explain what to do if you fall through ice. I learned something. I didn’t quite know all of this. Is it just me? Does everyone know this? He must be sooooo cold!!

Additional video of Nags Head *WORKING FIRE* via @PappenheimWx #NCfire

2-1-26 Snow in Lugoff SC.

Pine Grove Baptist Lugoff SC service for 2-1-26 . youtube.com/live/PypzvRYQE…

The potential for a rare and notable snow event continues for this weekend with increasing confidence in accumulation. Much of the area can expect to see some snow, but confidence remains highest along the SC-NC border.

NEWS RELEASE: South Carolina moves to OPCON 1 Ahead of Winter Weather. Read more here: scemd.org/news/south-car…

The latest video briefing for our forecast area (the counties shown in Green below) regarding the incoming winter storm is available at youtu.be/CW6fyoWNCV4. For all other locations, please refer to our neighboring offices across the Carolina and Georgia. #CAEWx #SCWx #GAWx

Take this storm seriously, folks. Moderate to major impacts are expected from the Central US through to the Northeast today through the weekend. - Hazardous to impossible driving conditions are expected. Avoid travel if at all possible. - Widespread closures and disruption to infrastructure may also occur. Stay weather aware and up to date on the latest alerts and weather conditions by following your local national weather service office on social media or checking weather.gov.

Freezing rain leading to accumulating ice expected to be the primary impact this weekend with increasing confidence in significant impacts for portions of the area. Our latest forecast discussion is available here: youtu.be/TKhATRO5iIY?si… #scwx #gawx

A lot of people have asked for a comprehensive preparedness list for the winter storm. Feel free to bookmark this or share with friends, stay safe out there: ⛽️ Gas up every car (and top off any cans if you’ve got them) 💵 Pull cash — assume card readers go down 🔋 Charge everything: phones, battery packs, laptops, tool batteries 🔌 Make one “charging pile” with all cords so nobody’s hunting 🔦 Headlamp for every adult + flashlight for every kid 🏮 Lanterns for the main rooms (no candles… kids + candles = nope) 🔋 Fresh batteries in a big ziplock — label it 🏠 Pick ONE “warm room” right now (small room, easiest to heat) 🚪 Shut doors to the rest of the house 🧣 Blankets over windows at night + towels at the bottom of doors 🛏️ Drag mattresses/pads in there if you need to 🧤 Lay out clothes like it’s ski season: base layer + hoodie + coat + hat + thick socks 👟 Slippers/shoes indoors — cold floors will wreck you 🧦 Dry clothes only — damp socks = change them immediately ⚠️ Generator = OUTSIDE only (not garage, not “cracked door,” OUTSIDE) 🚨 CO alarms working on every floor, especially near bedrooms 🔌 Use outdoor-rated extension cords only — don’t run cords under rugs 🙅‍♂️ Don’t do any “dryer plug” stuff — not worth dying for ⛽️ Fuel stays OUTSIDE the house ✅ If you’re using a heater: only indoor-rated 🔥 Keep it away from blankets/curtains/kids 🌬️ Crack a window just a tiny bit 😴🚫 Never sleep with a flame heater on 💧 Water: plan 1 gallon per person per day minimum 🪣 Fill bathtub/buckets for flushing/washing 🚱 On a well? Assume ZERO water once power is out 🔧 Find the main water shutoff now (don’t wait) 🚰 When it’s brutally cold: let faucets drip (if water’s still on) 🧊 Open sink cabinets on outside walls 🧣 Wrap exposed pipes / cover outdoor spigots 🧯 Disconnect hoses 🥫 Food: buy 7 days of no-cook / easy stuff 🍞 Stock basics: PB, tuna, crackers, granola, soup, jerky, shelf milk, cereal 🗝️ Manual can opener 🍽️ Paper plates if you don’t want to burn water on dishes ❄️ Fridge/freezer: open it as little as possible ✅ Eat fridge first, then freezer, then pantry 💊 Refill prescriptions 🤒 Kids fever meds + thermometer + first-aid kit ⚡️ CPAP/nebulizer/anything critical: have a power plan 🧼 Baby wipes + sanitizer + trash bags 🪣 No water? Bucket toilet plan (bucket + bags + kitty litter) 🎲 Make a “kid station” in the warm room: books, coloring, cards, board games 🎬 Download movies ahead of time (airplane mode) 🚫 Clear rules: no touching heaters, no cords, no generator zone 🌙🏮 Lantern by hallway/bathroom at night 🧸 One comfort thing per kid in the warm room 📱 Phones: low power mode + dim screen 📝 Write down important numbers on paper 📞 Pick a check-in time with family/friends (morning + evening) 🚗❄️ Don’t drive unless you have to — ice will humble you fast 🧰 Car kit: blanket, flashlight, snacks, water, jumper pack 🚘⚠️ If you run the car for heat: clear the tailpipe and never in an enclosed space ✅ Every morning: quick safety sweep 🚨🔥 CO alarms good, heater clear, cords not hot 🌡️💧 Watch for leaks when things thaw 🤝 Check on neighbors if you can 🗑️ Toss sketchy food when power comes back ⚡️ Bring the house back online slowly (don’t flip everything at once)